SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Grand Valley State Lakers fell in the opening round of the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament, 68-60, Friday (March 12) to the Ashland Eagles at O'Reilly Arena. The Lakers, who reached the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season, end their season at 14-6.
 
Ellie Droste and Qay Stanton each scored a team-high 15 points while Hannah Kulas contributed seven points, six boards and three steals.
 
The Eagles hit four threes in the first four minutes and five of their first six, taking a 22-13 lead after the first ten minutes. The Lakers would sure up their perimeter defense and begin to claw back, outscoring the Eagles in the second to get back within five, 33-28.
 
The Eagles threatened to pull away in the third, but GVSU scored the final six points of the period, including a pair of free throws from Droste in the waning seconds to pull back within seven, 51-44, before the final period.
 
Que Stanton would convert an and-one to get the scoring started in the fourth to get the Lakers within four, but the Eagles would respond with back-to-back buckets to double the lead. Emily Spitzley responded with a mid-range jumper and the Lakers would hang within two possessions for the next several minutes. They'd get within three points with four minutes left, but the Eagles answered with a three.
 
The Lakers would get a response with a Droste layup and free throws to get within one score down the stretch, but then had to foul as Ashland pulled away in the final moments.